The small town of Mount Jewett, Pennsylvania will hit a major milestone this weekend by hosting its 50th annual Swedish Festival.
Tucked away in McKean County, Mount Jewett boasts just under 1,000 residents. However, more than 4,000 visitors are expected in town throughout the festival weekend.
From Friday through Sunday, guests can expect a full state of events. Some highlights include visits from Viking ships, axe throwing contests, community cookouts, parades, Swedish music and fireworks. The weekend will also feature amusement rides and contests.
Festival organizer Beth Carpenter has helped plan the event for nearly three decades. Although she isn’t Swedish herself, she says honoring Mount Jewett’s heritage grows increasingly important as older generations dwindle.
“Because it was founded by the Swedish people, we just continue celebrating that,” she said. “When they started it 50 years ago, there was a lot more Swedish people. I don’t have one bit of Swedish in me.”
Even so, Carpenter says Mount Jewett remains proudly Swedish.
“We happily call it our ‘little Swede town,’” she said.
Although only 12 committee members organize the festival, it holds a special place in town. Carpenter says most natives even plan their vacations around the Swedish Festival so they can attend.
Last year’s festival, which would’ve been the 50th, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mount Jewett’s Swedish Festival begins Friday with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. A full lists of events is available online.
